Lavender of course, was the first person to notice her new accessories the next morning at breakfast. It was Monday, and Hermione had decided since she didn't have potions on her schedule for the day, that she would wear the lovely gift that Draco had given her.

A decision she was now, regretting.

"Ooh, Hermione!" Lavender gushed with a pointed look, "Are those new?"

The nosy witch, who's hair was even curlier than hers used to be, was grinning at her and gesturing at her ears from across the table.

The inward groan as well as the warning glare, didn't seem to deter Lavender at all as she cooed some more...

"Did Malfoy get you those for Valentine's Day? I did hear a rumor that you both were officially courting!"

Hermione's left hand went instinctively to her ear, while her gaze caught the smirking face of her intended as he was watching her reaction closely.

Along with nearly everyone else.

Lavender wasn't exactly being subtle...nor quiet.

"Yes." Was all the answer Hermione felt bound to pay, but when the witch tittered again like some lovesick fool, Hermione put her hand up and said, "Lavender?"

The other Gryffindor witch smiled and said in her sickly sweet voice, "Yes..."

"Leave it alone."

The witch pouted, but turned her head and started whispering in earnest to Faye and Pavarti while Hermione took a sip of her tea and stared down her wizard. That was until a voice cleared from next to her.

When she turned her head, Harry was eyeing the earrings with a pursed grimace.

"Those are something." He offered, before stabbing at his kipper and poking it into his mouth, chewing it like it had offended him. Ron, who was sitting across from them, just looked like he wanted to be sick.

"Oh, stop it both of you!" Hermione hissed lowly, "you both knew this was coming and now you're acting like petulant, whinging..."

"I'm not whinging!"

"What's petulant mean again?"

Both Harry and Ron spoke simultaneously and Hermione snickered, but rolled her eyes for effect.

"Is this really going to be an issue?" She asked worriedly, and to Harry's credit—he just sighed and shrugged helplessly.

"No, I suppose not."

"Speak for yourself, Harry." Ron muttered with a mouth full of food, causing Hermione to glare at him.

"Manners, Ronald."

The red-head swallowed hastily, and took a fortifying sip of his pumpkin juice but didn't reply.

"I'm going to head to class," Hermione bit out as she grabbed her book bag, "and until you both can behave and act like mature adults, don't expect me to help either one of you with your homework!"

"Mione!" Ron blurted out, while Harry just stared at her morosely as she stood up and stormed out of the Great Hall.

Glancing back over to the Slytherin table, Harry could see Malfoy's narrowed gaze and Theo shaking his head at him in exasperation.

Retuning their stares with one of his own, Harry just bit down through a rasher and chewed it mutinously, refusing to be chastened by the likes of Malfoy or Nott. He knew that Hermione's future with Malfoy was all but a certainty, but it didn't mean he had to like it either.

The blonde was still a ferrety git as far as he was concerned and even Ron seemed to be in agreement.

"You both are being ridiculous." Ginny's hard voice broke through Harry's staring match and he turned to look at the youngest Weasley who was glaring at both her brother and him.

"Leave it Ginny." Ron mumbled, but the witch just shook her finger at them.

"Hermione—whether you both want to agree or not—doesn't get a say in this. Not really. For some reason you both are going to have to accept that her magic has chosen it's likely mate, and whether or not you like Malfoy plays no part in it. It's obvious that he's changed this year and so has Slytherin House. If they are willing to try and do better, then we all should too."

"You're just saying that because you've been spending time with Vaisey lately."

"I have, and he's a rather good bloke once you get through all the Slytherin bravado. Plus he looks fit in his Quidditch robes."

Harry rolled his eyes, while Ron snorted in disgust.

"All I'm saying," Ginny pushed forward, "is you both love Hermione like a sister. You do want to see her happy, right?"

Both Harry and Ron nodded sheepishly after a few moments.

"It didn't really hit either one of you until just now, did it?" Ginny asked, amused.

"What?" Harry replied, confused.

"That your sister and Malfoy are really going to be bonded at some point. I think you both were living in a kind of denial hoping that Malfoy would end up like Pucey, but seeing her wearing those earrings woke you both up to the truth."

Harry's eyes widened in understanding as he glanced at Ron, who just hung his head down in shame.

Ginny was right. Neither one of them had really though that Mione would ever end up choosing Malfoy in a million years.

"Shite." Harry murmured causing Ginny to hum in satisfaction.

"Go find your sister Harry, and make this right."

The Boy who Lived nodded, grabbed his book bag and headed out of the Hall, ignoring the stares of everyone as he went to find his sister. Luckily, they had their first class together.

When Harry walked into the History of Magic classroom, he took his normal seat next to Hermione and noticed her stiffening slightly as he set his book bag down and took out his supplies before giving her his undivided attention.

"I'm sorry." He whispered out contritely as he sighed in defeat. "I suppose there was a part of me that hoped Malfoy would end up like Pucey, but there was a smaller part of me that instinctively knew deep down that you both are fairly compatible."

Hermione's blue eyes considered him for a moment before she too, sighed heavily. "I know this wasn't what either of us had thought might happened, but here we are Harry. I've spent the better part of this school year denying what my magic was telling me because I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that it was Malfoy."

Harry nodded, understanding that sentiment. "And now?"

"And now, as strange as it's going to sound? I can't imagine it being anyone but him."

"Really?"

"Yes, Harry...really."

"Bloody hell."

"Language Brother Mine!"

Harry smiled as he pulled Hermione into his embrace and gave her a hug. "I'm sorry, Sister Mine."

"You've already apologized and we both know I can't stay mad at you for long. I know you're just worried about me. Frankly, I'd be lying if I didn't admit I'm worried too."

Harry was about to inquire as to what Hermione meant by that comment when their class started filling up. Luckily, they had this class with the Puffs, so he didn't have to see Malfoy or Nott until Defense later on that afternoon.

When class time was over, Harry gave his sister another hug and watched her leave for Ancient Runes, while he headed off to the library to study during his free period before lunch. As he rounded the corner, Harry was somewhat surprised to see Malfoy waiting for him and the expression on the blonde's face was not happy.

"Potter."

"Malfoy."

"You have a minute?"

"Barely."

Draco nodded and moved effortlessly in step with him as they headed down towards the lower levels.

"You don't approve." Malfoy said matter-of-factly and Harry just pursed his lips and shrugged.

"It's not my position apparently to approve or disapprove."

"That doesn't answer my question."

Harry stopped walking and gestured for Malfoy to follow him into a corridor off the main hallway where he cast several privacy charms, causing the ferret to smirk.

When he was reasonably reassured they were safe from prying eyes and ears, Harry turned on Draco with a scowl.

"Look Malfoy," Harry began with an even tone, although Draco could tell he wasn't happy to be having this conversation with him, "you and I don't like each other. We never have. True, I refused your offer of friendship back during our first year, but you were a smarmy git looking to assert your wealth and privilege. It wasn't me you wanted to be friends with...it was Harry Potter...the fucking chosen one."

Draco stared at Scar-head impassively, but didn't refute the challenge laid at his feet.

"Being from Gryffindor and Slytherin respectively, we weren't exactly meant to be friends. It's taken a set of circumstances neither one of us could've ever foreseen for you and I to have to learn to tolerate each other. Hermione is my sister, and I just want her safe and happy. She seems to think you can do that for her, and who am I to get in the way of her happiness."

Draco's eyes widened slightly, as he listened to Potter's impassioned speech with a quirked eyebrow and a slight frown on his face.

"Do you think for one moment, Potter...that this hasn't been hard on me as well?"

"In what way Malfoy?" Harry demanded, scoffing in disbelief but Draco chose to ignore the other wizard's pettiness for the moment.

"I don't care for you or Weasley, it's true. I think you both are too brash, hard-headed and judgmental. Everything is black and white with you two and frankly, it's annoying. The world isn't filled with only good people and Death Eaters...Potter. We all have both light and dark within us and yes...it's what we choose to act upon that defines who we are."

Harry paled as he swallowed uneasily at Malfoy's words...which sounded so much like Sirius in that moment, it made his heart race and his stomach drop.

Draco, seeing the Chosen One's face crumple, titled his head questioningly. "You alright?"

Harry nodded and took a deep, fortifying breath. "Yeah...it's just—someone told me something to that effect once not too long ago."

"Who?"

"My godfather."

Draco nodded, his expression solemn as he thought about his cousin whom he'd never gotten the chance to know, but was also Hermione's godfather.

"Well, I didn't know my cousin obviously, but he sounds like a smart wizard."

"He really was."

Both boys were quiet for a moment before Harry checked the time and waved his wand, bringing down the wards and heading out towards the main corridor—but before he left, he turned to Malfoy one last time and said seriously, "Just remember that for all her tough exterior, Hermione just needs someone to understand her and accept her. She doesn't need fancy jewelry Malfoy; she just needs your support."

Draco nodded. "I do understand that Potter, but I can't help it if I choose to spoil her from time to time. Something tells me she's never had anyone put her needs first. Not even you."

Harry blushed in shame, but to his credit he just bowed his head at the Slytherin and headed for the library...leaving Draco standing there watching him leave and shaking his own head ruefully.

Fuck!

Did this mean he and Potter were friends now?

Deciding that it was probably best not to dwell on such things, Draco headed towards Runes, which he had with his witch. When he arrived, there was an open seat next to her and he smiled softly as he took his spot just as Professor Babbling entered the classroom.

"Good morning class," she began brightly, "if you all would get out your homework and pass it to the front of the class, we can get started on todays lesson."

Draco took his assignment out of his book bag and reached for Hermione's which she gave him with a small smile. He then passed it forward to Theo and then got out his Spellman's Syllabary and his copy of Advanced Rune Translation by Yuri Blishen before getting his quill and ink.

Once their assignments were collected, Professor Babbling handed out their assignment for the class period.

"Today you will be working in pairs with your table partner. The runic translations are quite complex as you'll see and you may not finish during the class period. If not, please continue on with them as homework and turn them in next week for credit."

Draco took both his and Hermione's parchments from their Professor and handed his witch her's, which she took with a quiet 'thank you.' When he looked down at the translations, his eyes widened at the complexity of some of the conveyances that they were expected to do, and by the expression on Hermione's face, it would appear as if she knew it too.

"These are rather complex."

Draco hummed his agreement, as he opened up his Syllabary to the first set of Runes, but Hermione stopped him as she eyed the parchment with a frown.

"I've seen some of these symbols before, but they're not Anglo-Saxon Runes..."

"Oh?"

"Mmhmm," she pointed to the first line, in particular the second rune and said simply, "these are old Norse."

Draco's eyes widened in shock. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"How do you know this?"

Hermione gazed up and saw Theo looking at her, as he too had recognized some of the Runes on the paper.

"When I went to McKinnon Manor this past summer, I found a few books that were written in Old Norse and these Runes were in them. I'm certain of it."

Draco bit his lip and nodded. "Okay. I'm sure we can work out the parts of this that aren't Norse and then check in the Library to see if we can find a resource?"

Hermione bit her lip for a moment and reluctantly acquiesced to the idea. "That's fine."

Together they got through about two-thirds of the translations before the class period ended. When they left the room together, Theo wasn't far behind.

"Hermione?"

She turned and smiled at her cousin. "Hey Theo. You noticed too?"

He nodded. "I did. Are you going to check in the library?"

Considering the alternatives, Hermione just shook her head. "It might be easier to go back and see if any of the books we found might be useful?"

Theo shrugged. "Or you could call Bunny?"

"I remember that name," Draco admitted with interest, "wasn't she the elf left to tend McKinnon Manor?"

"Yes, along with her family." Hermione admitted, biting her lip in contemplation. "But it might be easier if I go there myself."

"Hermione," Theo's voice held a warning edge, but she just bumper her shoulder into his.

"It will be fine."

"You're not supposed to leave the school, Princess." Draco bit out.

"I'm not going to go right now!"

"Oh, so that makes it okay?"

"Trust me."

Draco glared at his friends and said coldly, "Theo, Blaise? I will see you both in the Great Hall."

Theo went to protest, but Blaise knew that look on Draco's face and pulled Theo with him—the Nott Heir protesting the entire way.

Hermione for her part, had her arms folded over her chest defiantly, as she stared fiercely at her intended.

"Did you have to scare them away like that?"

"Yes!" Draco growled as he pulled her into an empty alcove for privacy. "Do you really mean to go to McKinnon Manor alone?"

"Well, no..." she paused for effect, and almost laughed when she saw Draco eyes narrowing. "I thought maybe...you might like to break a few school rules and come with me?"

The hard expression on Draco's face gave way to shock, then to exasperation as he rolled his eyes.

"You really expect to tempt me into flouting school rules with you so egregiously?"

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Hermione tilted her head up innocently, as she pouted playfully. "I thought Slytherins liked to break the rules."

"Slytherins are inherently self preservationists, but something tells me that's going to fall to the wayside rather spectacularly dealing with you and your Gryffindor sensibilities and penchant for trouble."

"Who? Me?"

Draco chuckled and nodded. "Yes you, my diabolical witch." He then sighed in defeat. "But if you're seriously intent on going, then I will tag along if for no other reason than I can't abide letting you go unchaperoned."

"Does that mean that Theo will have to go as well?"

Draco leant his head back and groaned, but realized that it probably would mean exactly that.

"Are you sure it's wise to try and abscond with so many people at once?"

"Well, I could just take Theodore with me and leave you here?"

"Absolutely not!" Draco cupped her cheeks and kissed her swiftly. "I will be going with you."

"Fine."

Draco's gaze narrowed at how utterly guileless his little hellion looked in that moment and he shook his head at how easily she had played him.

"You're trouble."

"And?" She kissed him back and then headed out of the alcove, her hair flying behind her leaving a scented trail of vanilla and plumeria in her wake. "You like trouble."

Draco just watched his little witch sashay down the hall, her hips swaying in perfect rhythm and he couldn't help but grin to himself.

Hermione Prewett would be the death of him.